Followers

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Now, I'll be one of the first people to say that I don't particularly like Twilight, but this picture hurts me a little. I don't think that any book should be banned, taken away, or burned. What purpose does destroying a book serve? Nobody profits from this, except the book burner and Stephenie Meyer. Burning books deprives someone, somewhere an opportunity to read it.
Every book has the potential to help someone. They can help people learn to read, or give an escape. Books can teach us things without us feeling like we've been taught. I know that's kind of confusing, so I'll explain. When you read a book, you can empathize with the characters, even though they may be completely different from you. A reader can learn about the difficulties that people go through because of their skin color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other factor. People can better themselves through books.
Twilight may not be the greatest piece of fiction out there, but it serves a purpose. I know several people who used Twilight as a springboard for other books. It has ignited a passion for reading in countless people who otherwise wouldn't pick up a book.
So, if you're one of those people who hates Twilight or some other book, go on hating. But please don't destroy the book. Donate it to a library, shelter, or some other place where it has the opportunity to reach someone.

I understand what you mean. I'm not a fan of Twilight (used to be, then I...found other books to obsess over), but when my friend B began to tear pages out of her copy--because she hated it so very much--I nearly had a heart attack on the spot. another friend hanging with us saw me stumble backwards and hurriedly told B to stop because she was killing me.

B didn't understand, since I'm one of those anti-Twilight people like her, and my explanations meant nothing. ::sigh::

I love this post, Travis! Twilight was the springboard that got me back to reading. Point is, even though you may not like a book, never ruin it. Because there is someone out there who may hate a book you really love. Wouldn't it kill you to see your fav book like this?

I agree 100%! It truly hurts me to look at that picture. I view books as pieces of the soul and history. There's no reason a book should be burned. There are people who are not fortunate enough to have access to books like others, and the books should be donated to them if nothing else. Great post, Travis. Keep books and their dreams alive. :)

This makes me really sad. C'mon we've all read and obsessed about Twilight. Tastes change. When I was fourteen I read Virginia Andrews books over and over again. I wouldn’t read them now because they're really cheesy, and I certainly wouldn't burn them. I just got older and developed other tastes, but I have great memories from reading those books – as I have with Twilight.

The media built Twilight up; it's not the books fault or Stephenie Meyer's fault.

Honestly, I think anyone who burns books and says things like, "This book doesn't deserve to exits," should go write a book. You know what? It's REALLY hard. I've written two. They're terrible, but I put my heart and soul into them and I know they deserve to exist, even if it's only on my hard drive.

I happen to like the Twilight books, even though I get mocked for admitting it, but I wouldn't do something like this even to books I can't stand.

VERY good post! Since I'm OLD I can attest to the fact that just because you don't like or have outgrown a book doesn't mean it couldn't be important to the development of another reader. I agree with Travis -- donate the book, give it to a friend (or younger sibling), sell it to a used bookseller (this is a great choice -- because then you can use the $ to buy more books you WILL like). Hate a book? Give it a poor review! Please don't destroy a book just because you don't like what it had to say or you think it's worthless. (That's what the Nazis did, after all.)